A prominent Grosse Pointe Shores businessman who made his fortune towing cars and trucks was arraigned in federal court Tuesday on charges involving a public corruption probe in Macomb County.

Gasper Fiore, 56, of Grosse Pointe Shores, whose Boulevard & Trumbull Towing company has had contracts with the Detroit police, Wayne County, the Michigan Department of Transportation and the federal government, is accused of paying bribes to win a towing contract in Clinton Township. Specifically, the government alleges Fiore paid $7,000 in cash bribes to former Clinton Township Trustee Dean Reynolds for help in securing the contract.

And he allegedly used indicted trash hauler Chuck Rizzo Jr. to hand off the money.

Fiore appeared at his arraignment in a suit and tie and said few words except for, "Yes your honor" when the judge asked him routine questions. A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf and he was released on bond. He said nothing to reporters afterward — nor did his lawyer, Bob Morgan — and sought refuge inside the courthouse for hours as reporters waited outside for him to emerge.

According to court documents, Fiore last year allegedly gave $4,000 in cash to Rizzo, who then gave it to Reynolds. Two months later, Fiore gave Rizzo another $3,000 in cash to give to Reynolds, but an undercover agent delivered Reynolds the money instead.

Reynolds took it, prosecutors allege, which led to him and several others getting charged last fall in what the government has described as a “wide-ranging corruption investigation centered in Macomb County.”

To date, 12 people have been charged, including Rizzo, 46, of Bloomfield Hills, who is charged with five counts of bribery and three counts of conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with garbage contracts in Clinton, Macomb and Chesterfield townships. He is also charged with 12 counts of mail and wire fraud.

Reynolds, 49, of Clinton Township was indicted in November on charges he helped Rizzo secure an $18-million contract extension — without it being put out to bid — in exchange for $50,000-plus in bribes and a free divorce lawyer. Reynolds is awaiting trial.

Fiore is charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, mail and wire fraud. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.